Obstacle avoidance system

ABSTRACT

A system for avoiding obstacles in the path of a vehicle including a sensor assembly having a field of view with a plurality of sectors for detecting the distance of objects within each sector. The system further includes an element for identifying obstructed sensors in which objects are detected within a predetermined range and a device for selecting an unobstructed sector close in alignment to the direction of the path to designate around the object a clear path which is close to the original path.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a system for avoiding obstacles in the path ofa vehicle such as a mobile robot, and more particularly to such a systemwhich determines the range of the obstacle and selects an unobstructedpath close in alignment to the original path.

CROSS-REFERENCES

The following applications, filed concurrently herewith, areincorporated herein by reference:

    ______________________________________                                        Inventors Title            Ser. No.                                           ______________________________________                                        Maddox et al.                                                                           Intrusion Detection System                                                                     864,032 (Pending)                                  Muller et al.                                                                           Ultrasonic Ranging System                                                                      864,002 (Now U.S.                                                             Pat. No. 4,701,893)                                Benayad-Cherif                                                                          Position Locating System                                                                       864,031 (Pending)                                  et al.    for Vehicle                                                         Pavlak et al.                                                                           Power-Up Sequencing                                                                            864,590 (Pending)                                            Apparatus                                                           Maddox et al.                                                                           Beacon Proximity 864,292 (Now U.S.                                            Detection System Pat. No. 4,710,020)                                          for Vehicle                                                         Kadonoff et al.                                                                         Orientation Adjustment                                                                         864,450 (Pending)                                            System and Robot Using                                                        Same                                                                Kadonoff et al.                                                                         Beacon Navigation System                                                                       864,442 (Pending) - and Method for Guiding a                 Vehicle                                                             George II et al.                                                                        Recharge Docking System                                                                        864,028 (Pending)                                            for Mobile Robot                                                    ______________________________________                                    

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Obstacle avoidance for a vehicle such as an autonomous robot isdifficult in an unknown environment. While a path can be plotted througha known environment which never varies, few environments remainconstant. Further, these systems can be defeated by a single objectwhich lies in a plotted path.

One system utilizes vision to examine a surrounding environment andavoid obstacles in it. Multiple images of the environment are taken andcombined to determine by correspondence the distance to all featureshaving a change in depth. S-curves are then plotted through thesefeatures. However, vast computations are required to perform thisanalysis, making the system slow and expensive.

Other systems model the surrounding environment by reducing theenvironment to geometric features. The environment is typically modelledas a series of line segments representing surface features, or as a gridrepresenting the probability of presence or absence of objects withinparticular locations. Paths such as S-curves are typically plottedaround the features modelled on the grid. Using line segment modelling,straight paths are computed to circumvent objects which are depicted asline segments.

Yet another system utilizes laser ranging, which classifies obstaclesinto categories such as boulders or hills and commands an avoidanceprocedure based on the category.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an obstacleavoidance system which efficently avoids objects blocking the path ofthe vehicle.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such an obstacleavoidance system which selects an unobstructed path close in alignmentto the original path of the vehicle.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such an obstacleavoidance system which is relatively inexpensive.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide such an obstacleavoidance system which requires minimal computations.

A further object of this invention is to provide such an obstacleavoidance system which eliminates the need to identify or classifyobstacles.

A still further object of this invention is to provide such an obstacleavoidance system which can rapidly update the unobstructed path.

This invention features a system for avoiding obstacles in the path of avehicle. There are sensor means having a field of view with a pluralityof sectors for detecting the distance of objects within each sector andmeans, responsive to the sensor means, for identifying obstructedsectors in which objects are detected within a predetermined range.There is also means, responsive to the means for identifying, forselecting an unobstructed sector close in alignment to the direction ofthe path to designate around the object a clear path which is close tothe original path.

In one embodiment, the sensor means includes a plurality of sensors,each aligned with a different sector. The sensors may be ultrasonictransducers. The field of view of the sensor means is centered towardthe direction of the path and the means for selecting may include meansfor designating the sector closest in alignment to the path direction.The system further includes means for turning the vehicle toward theselected sector and the means for selecting includes means fordesignating unobstructed sectors, which are immediately adjacent toobstructed sectors, as obstructed sectors.

In another embodiment, the system further includes means for adjustingthe drive velocity of the vehicle as a function of the nearest detectedobject. The means for adjusting includes second sensor means having afield of view aligned with the direction of travel of the vehiclewherein the field of view has a plurality of sectors for detecting thedistance of objects within each sector. The means for adjusting mayfurther include proximity means, responsive to the second sensor means,for identifying the obstructed sector in which an object is detected atthe closest range. The system further includes means for resolving thedirection of travel of the vehicle and further includes path followingmeans for returning the vehicle to the path after the object is avoided.The path following means may include means for altering the heading ofthe vehicle toward the path as a function of the lateral deviation ofthe vehicle from the path and of the path distance designated to elapsebefore the vehicle reaches the path.

This invention also features an obstacle avoidance system for use with arobot having a body which has an azimuthal angle that is optimally fixedin space and provides the basic reference to the outside world, a drivesystem including wheels for enabling movement of the robot, and asynchronous steering mechanism which turns the wheels independently ofthe body to face them toward the direction of travel. There are sensormeans, disposed in the body, having a field of view with a plurality ofsectors for detecting the distance of objects within each sector, andmeans for identifying obstructed sectors in which objects are detectedwithin a predetermined range. There is also means for selecting anunobstructed sector close in alignment to the direction of the path todesignate around the object a clear path which is close to the originalpath.

In one embodiment, the sensor means includes a plurality of sensors,each aligned with a different sector, and the field of view of thesensor means is centered toward the direction of the path. The systemfurther includes means for adjusting the drive velocity of the robot asa function of the nearest detected object. The means for adjustingincludes second sensor means having a field of view aligned with thedirection of the robot wherein the field of view has a plurality ofsectors for detecting the distance of objects within each sector, andproximity means for identifying the obstructed sector in which an objectis detected at the closest range.

DISCLOSURE OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Other objects, features and advantages will occur from the followingdescription of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of a robot utilizing the obstacleavoidance system according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified exploded view with parts removed of the robot ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electronic modules included in therobot of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4A is a schematic top plan view of the relationship between thehead and the body to each other and relative to the environment;

FIG. 4B is a schematic top plan view of alignment between the head andthe body using a position encoder;

FIG. 4C is a schematic top plan view of the sign of angles in relationto the front of the robot;

FIG. 5A is a schematic top plan view of the angles and distances betweenthe robot, a predetermined node, and a beacon; FIG. 5B is an elevationalplan view of the robot and beacon of FIG. 5A relative to each other;

FIG. 5C is a schematic top plan view of the angles and distances betweenthe robot, a selected path, and an offset beacon;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of the mobile module of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram of a map of a number of nodes establishedin the environment;

FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram of a global navigation path to a goalnode within the map of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C is a schematic diagram of local navigation between two nodes ofthe global path of FIG. 7B;

FIG. 8A is a schematic block diagram of position estimation;

FIG. 8B is a flow chart of the arbiter of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of the X-axis calibration of FIG. 8A;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are flow charts of end-path calibration of FIG. 8A;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are flow charts of body angle calibration of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 12A is a schematic block diagram of local navigation including anobstacle avoidance system according to this invention;

FIG. 12B is a flow chart of the arbiter of FIG. 12A;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of the beacon tracking system of FIG. 12A;

FIG. 14 is a schematic top plan view of a robot navigating around anobstacle;

FIGS. 15A-15C are flow charts of the obstacle avoider of FIG. 12A;

FIG. 16 is a schematic top plan view of the determination of avoidancedistance in a corridor;

FIG. 17 is a schematic top plan view of the computation of side swipeangle around an object;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart of the path follower system of FIG. 12A;

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of the interrelation between themap, global navigation and local navigation;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart of the planner of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart of the executive of FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of position locating including beacon sensorsand the beacon electronic module;

FIG. 23 is an illustration of the optical burst output of the beacons ofFIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged detail of a single burst of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a more detailed block diagram of a beacon shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 26 is a more detailed block diagram of an eye shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 27 is a more detailed block diagram of the beacon STD-bus interfaceof FIG. 22;

FIGS. 28A and 28B are flow charts of the software utilized in themicroprocessor of FIG. 22; and

FIG. 29 is a schematic of the photodiode of FIG. 26.

There is shown in FIG. 1 a vehicle, robot 10 according to this inventionincluding a head section 12 and a base 14 movable on three wheels, onlytwo of which, 16, 18, are visible. The wheels are mounted in threesteerable trucks, only two of which, 20 and 22, are visible. There aretwenty-four ultrasonic transducers 24 such as the electrostatictransducers of the Sell type available from Polaroid equally spaced atfifteen degrees around the periphery of base 14. One of transducers 24,such as transducer 24a, is designated as sensor zero; its azimuthalheading is utilized as described below. Above that on reduced neck 26there are located six passive infrared motion detectors 28, 30, 32, 34,36, 38, only two of which, 28 and 30, are shown. These detectors areequally spaced at sixty degrees apart and may be DR-321's available fromAritech. Just above that are two conductor bands 50 and 52 which areused to engage a charging arm for recharging the robot's batteries. Headsection 12 is mounted to base 14 and rotates with respect to base 14about a central vertical axis. Head section 12 carries an RF antenna 65for sending and receiving communication signals to a base location orguard station. Head section 14 also includes an infrared sensor 60 forsensing radiation in the near infrared region, e.g. 880 nm, such asemitted from LED 62 of beacon 64, one or more of which are mounted onthe walls in the space to be protected by robot 10 to assist in locatingand directing robot 10 in the area in which it is to roam. An ultrasonictransducer 66 similar to one of the transducers 24 used for maneuveringand avoidance may be provided for ranging. There is also provided apassive infrared sensor 68 similar to sensors 28 and 30. A microwavetransmission and reception antenna 70 and a TV camera 72 which may beturned on when an apparent intrusion has occurred; these are alsoincluded in head 12.

Base 14, FIG. 2, includes a main chassis 80 which carries threebatteries 82 such as globe 12 V 80AH gel cells, only one of which isshown. When fully charged they will operate the robot for twelve hoursor more.

Robot 10 is provided with a synchro-drive locomotion system 83. Thewheels are steered simultaneously and driven simultaneously. By steeringsimultaneously, base 14 optimally maintains an azimuthal angle which isfixed in space and serves as the basic reference of the robot to theoutside world. Trucks 20 and 22, with wheels 16 and 18 respectively, aresuspended from chassis 80. Each truck as indicated at truck 20 includesa right-angle drive 84 which receives input from vertical drive shaft 86and provides output on horizontal drive shaft 88 to operate pulley 90.Pulley 90 through belt 92 drives pulley 94 attached to the axle of wheel16. Vertical drive shaft 86 and counterpart drive shafts 96 and 98 aredriven by their respective sprockets or pulleys 100, 102, 104 which inturn are driven by endless belt 106 powered by the pulley 107 on outputshaft 108 of drive motor 110 mounted beneath chassis 80. An encoder 111mounted with motor 110 monitors the velocity of the robot. An idlerwheel 112 is provided to maintain proper tension on belt 106.

Three additional shafts, only one of which, 99, is shown, concentricwith shafts 86, 96 and 98, respectively, are driven by a second set ofpulleys or sprockets 120, 122, 124 engaged with drive belt 126 poweredby sprocket 128 driven by steering motor 130 mounted beneath chassis 80.Idler pulley 131 is used to maintain tension on belt 126. An encoder 132is associated with steering motor 130 to provide outputs indicative ofthe steering position. The steering motor shaft is connected throughpulley 128 to extension shaft 134, the top of which is provided with aflange 136 with a plurality of mounting holes 138. Position sensor 135,such as a Hall Effect device, interacts with a magnetic detent on shaft134 as described below. Electronic chassis 140 is mounted by means ofscrews 142 on three shorter standoffs 144. Three holes 146 in electronicchassis 140 accommodate the pass-through of longer standoffs 148, whichmount neck 26 by means of screws 150. Electronic chassis 140 containsall of the electronic circuit boards and components such as indicated asitems 152 that are contained in the base 14, including the status moduledescribed infra.

When an electronic chassis 140 and neck 26 are mounted on theirrespective standoffs, extension shaft 134 and flange 136 and theassociated structure are accommodated by the central hole 160 inelectronic chassis 140 and the opening in neck 26 so that the head plate170 may be mounted by means of screws 172 to threaded holes 138 inflange 136. In this way the entire head rotates in synchronism with thetrucks and wheels as they are steered by steering motor 130. Arrow 171represents the frontal, forward-facing orientation of head 12.

In addition to the primary microwave sensor 70 there are threeadditional microwave sensors only one of which, 190, is visible spacedat ninety degrees about head plate 170 mounted in housings 192, 194, and196. One or more additional ultrasonic sensors can also be mounted inhead 12, e.g., ultrasonic sensor 195 on housing 192. Housing 194 facesdirectly to the back of the head as opposed to primary microwave sensor70 which faces front. Housing 194 also contains a second infraredsensor, not visible, which is the same as infrared sensor 68.

Head 12 also contains internal reference sensors. Inclinometer 197, suchas the Accustar Clinometer Sensor available from Sperry Corp., ismounted on the rear portion of external sensor housing 199. Its use inX-axis calibration is described below.

Cover 200 protects the electronics on head plate 170. All of theelectrical interconnections between head 12 and base 14 are made throughslip rings contained in slip ring unit 202 mounted about extension shaft134 in base 14.

Head 12, FIG. 3, includes three electronic portions: beacon module 210,head ultrasonic module 212, and intrusion detection module 214. Beaconmodule 210 responds to the IR sensor 60 to determine what angle thebeacon 64 is with respect to the robot. That angle is fed on bus 216through the slip ring unit 202 to the main CPU 218. Beacon module 210 isalso responsive to inclinometer 197.

Head ultrasonic module 212 responds to ultrasonic transducer 66 toprovide ranging information on bus 216 to CPU 218. Intruder detectionmodule 214 responds to the four microwave sensors such as sensors 70,190, and the two IR sensors such as sensor 68, to provide indications asof yet unconfirmed intrusion events. These events are processed by thealarm confirmation unit 220 in CPU 218 to determine whether a trueconfirmed intrusion has occurred.

In the body section 14, there is included status module 222, mobilemodule 224, body ultrasonics module 226, and CPU 218. Status module 222responds to the six infrared sensors 28-38 to provide an indication ofan intrusion. Status module 222 may also monitor fire and smokedetectors, diagnostic sensors throughout the robot such as inclinometer197, as well as chemical and odor detectors and other similar sensors.Mobile module 224 operates and monitors the action of drive motor 110and steering motor 130. The twenty-four ultrasonic transducers 24provide an input to the body of ultrasonic module 226, which providesdigital range information for the robot. Finally, body 14 contains CPU218, which in addition to the alarm confirmation unit 220 alsointerconnects with a floppy disk controller, a two-channel serial I/Oboard, and a reset board which receives inputs from a pushbutton resetand CPU 218 and provides as outputs ultrasonic resets, motor resets,status resets, beacon resets, I/O module resets and head ultra resets.CPU 218 also receives inputs from RF antenna 65 through RF circuit 240.

Several notations describe the orientation of head 12 to body 14, asshown in FIG. 4A. Arrow 300 represents its front, which faces thedirection of travel, shown as front arrow 171 in FIG. 2. The azimuthalorientation of body 14, FIG. 4A, is represented by point 302,hereinafter referred to as sensor zero. Sensor zero is a designated,fixed point on body 14 itself, e.g., sensor 24a, FIG. 2. The anglebetween head front 300 and sensor zero is theta_(D). The azimuthalangular distance from global zero to sensor zero is represented bytheta_(B) ; arrows 304 represent the designated orientation for thesurrounding environment.

Head 12 is realigned with base 14 using position sensor 135 and magneticdetent 306 on shaft 134 as shown in FIG. 4B. This is accomplished atdesignated homing nodes by rotating head 12, that is, by pivoting thethree steerable trucks, about its vertical axis such that magneticdetent 306 is brought into alignment with position sensor 135 of base14. The head direction angle theta_(D) is then set to zero; this andother operational parameters of the robot are maintained in updatablememory, hereinafter referred to as the blackboard, in CPU 218, FIG. 3.

The sign of angles is determined as shown in FIG. 4C. Object 290 isdirectly aligned with robot front 300. Angles in the clockwisedirection, indicated by arrow 291 between object 290 and object 292, arepositive in value. Angles in the counterclockwise direction, shown byarrow 293 toward object 294, are negative.

The position and orientation of robot 10 relative to beacon 64a is shownin FIG. 5A. Theta_(HA) is the actual horizontal angle, that is, theazimuthal angle, between head front 300 and beacon 64a. Beacon 64a has a30° transmitter beam width, indicated by arrow 303, which is detected bysensor 60, FIGS. 1 and 2, within its 22° field of view. The expectedhorizontal angle, theta_(HE), is zero when robot 10 is properlyfollowing path 308 toward wall 301. Horizontal deviation from path 308is designated by the variable y, here shown by arrow 310. Theorientation of path 308 is represented by angle theta_(P), which is 180°in relation to coordinate arrows 304.

Dashed line 312 parallels path 308. The angular deviation from thedirection of path 308 to front 300 is represented by head-path angletheta_(M). Sensor zero path angle theta_(SZ) is the angle from the pathto sensor zero 302. Head direction angle theta_(D) equal to the sensorzero path angle theta_(SZ) subtracted from head-path angle theta_(M).Angle theta_(SZ) is equal to path angle theta_(P) minus body angletheta_(B).

Thus, body angle theta_(B) serves as the basic reference for robot 10 tothe outside world. The actual direction of an intruder, a fire or a pathis determined for the robot in relation to sensor zero whose heading isupdated by body angle theta_(B).

Body angle calibration, that is, the updating of the angular orientationbetween sensor zero and global zero, can be conducted at any place alongpath 308. Calibration of the distance travelled in the X direction,shown by arrow 314, must be conducted at a predetermined location suchas node 316. As shown in FIG. 5B, the vertical angle, that is, thealtitude angle, between beacon sensor 60 and LED 62a of beacon 64a isclassified as actual vertical angle theta_(VA). This is obtained whilerobot 10 is distance f_(A) from wall 301. The expected vertical angletheta_(VE) is learned by initially placing robot 10 at node 316 tomeasure the angle. Inclinometer 197, FIG. 2, is utilized to correct forunevenness in terrain.

As described below, the expected distance f_(E) is measured from node316 to wall 301 and can be used instead of expected vertical angletheta_(VE). In either case, the vertical distance between the height ofbeacon sensor 60 and LED 62a must be measured, represented by verticaldistance e and shown by arrow 318. When the distance between wall 301and vertical axis VA is desired, the robot's radius r is added to thetrigonometric calculations.

The actual distance between robot 10 and wall 301 can also be measuredby head ultrasonic sensor 66 within its 15° field of view. This distancemeasurement is denoted as horizontal distance R_(HA) and is shown bydashed arrow 320.

Geometric parameters describing the location of robot 10 along the pathand its orientation relative to an offset beacon are shown in FIG. 5C.The path distance X_(p) is represented by line 321 between start node320 and end node 322. Line 324 represents the distance travelled, X_(M),and line 326 designates the remaining distance to travel, X_(p) -X_(m).

If the reference to be observed by robot 10 such as beacon 64b, is notdirectly aligned with path 308a, the angle between beacon 64b and path308a is denoted by offset angle theta_(off). Head horizontal angletheta_(HA) represents the difference in orientation between head front300 and beacon 64b. An estimate of distance travelled and of location ismaintained by dead reckoning accomplished by X-Y positioner 332 ofmobile module 224, FIG. 6. Mobile module 224 includes motor controller330, which controls drive motor 110 and steering motor 130. Distancetravelled is determined by encoder 111 which provides this informationto X-Y positioner 332. Similarly, steering encoder 132 provides changein orientation information to positioner 332, which accordingly outputspath distance X_(M), path deviation Y_(M), and head orientationtheta_(M), which denotes the angle of the head to the path. Encoders111, 132 also provide feedback to motor controller 330.

Navigation of the robot through its environment is described in relationto successive nodes. Map 338, FIG. 7A, includes selected nodes 340 whichhave a known distance and angle among each other. The robot travelstoward successive goal nodes. For example, if the robot is at node 4,the starting node, the robot can be directed to visit goal node 7. Thepaths required to accomplish this are designated in FIG. 7B as theglobal path 342. Global path 342 designates consecutive navigationnodes, and a list of paths between these nodes. At each node, the robotmust change headings, recalibrate estimated position, and head towardsthe next node.

Travel along the particular path is represented by path 344, FIG. 7C.Local navigation along path 344 moves the robot from node 4 to node 5.

The spatial models represented by FIGS. 7A-7C simply represent navigablepaths through the environment and do not actually describe thesurrounding environment. This system requires much less information thanother systems utilizing more complicated techniques such as geometricmodeling of the environment.

In addition to the identification of the starting node and the list ofsuccessive nodes to visit, the predetermined map information alsoincludes a number of characteristics for each path. These include thedistance of the path and its angle, theta_(P), in relation to globalzero. The path information may also include the width of the path, and,if a beacon is disposed at the end of the path, the beacon code,distance f, height e, and expected vertical angle theta_(VE). Theintensity of the beacon can be monitored to confirm proper operation ofthe beacon if it is an active beacon; expected intensity of passivebeacons such as reflectors or bar codes are not required. One or moreposition calibration techniques can be specified, such as X-axiscalibration, ultrasonic end-path calibration, and body-anglecalibration.

Robot 10 uses one or more position calibration systems 399 to estimateits position as shown in FIG. 8A. The position calibration systems 399are located within CPU 218 and draw upon several modules. X-axiscalibration system 400 obtains the vertical deviation phi_(i) frominclinometer 197, information from map 402, and actual vertical angletheta_(VA) from beacon module 210.

End-path calibration system 404 provides an alternate technique ofdetermining the difference in travel along the X-axis and determiningadjustments to body angle theta_(B). End-path calibration system 404draws upon map 402 and ultrasonic range data from module 212.

Body-angle calibration system 406 corrects for accumulated error inorientation due to such factors as drift and precession of base 14.System 406 is responsive to map 402, beacon data including theta_(HA)from beacon module 210 and data from mobile module 224 representingpresent estimated position and head orientation.

After obtaining one or more calibrations from calibration systems 400,404 and 406, arbiter 408 updates blackboard 410 which maintains currentstatus information for robot 10 including its actual position.Initializer 411 supplies initial values to blackboard 410, such as zerosgenerated for body angle theta_(B). Arbiter 408 provides corrected Y_(M)and theta_(M) values to X-Y positioner 332, FIG. 6 while the robot ismoving and while stationary provides X_(M), Y_(M) and theta_(M)corrections to motor controller 330 which are implemented as directed.

Arbiter 408 uses end-path calibration from system 404 when nearing theend of the path. Body-angle calibration from system 406 is examinedalong the path and at specified nodes. X-axis calibration from system400 is obtained only at selected nodes.

The operation of arbiter 408 is shown in FIG. 8B. Calibration systemscontinually output calibration values or "NO VALUE" but are sampled toobtain their estimations of position only if enabled from map 402 forthe particular path or node the robot presently occupies. Calibration ofbody angle, X-axis, and end-path position are successively accessed,steps 412, 414 and 416, respectively. Further, the arbiter decideswhether to relinquish control of the robot when a calibration systemrequests motor control.

If map 402 contains the appropriate enable for body angle calibration,step 412, the arbiter observes, step 418, whether calibration system 406has requested control by setting its control flag. If it has, control isprovided, step 420, unless an external override command (not shown) ispresent. The arbiter waits for body angle calibration to be completed,step 422, and then examines whether the output calibration data is otherthan "NO VALUE". Valid data is entered into blackboard 410 via step 426while the cperation proceeds directly to step 414 if the data are NOVALUE.

When the control flag is not set, step 418, examination of the outputdata is immediately made, step 424. Similarly, the outputs of X-axiscalibration and end-path calibration are obtained, as represented byloops 430 and 432, respectively. During these calibrations, steps 434and 436, control remains with the respective calibration systems untilthe difference between the actual and expected position of the robotalong the path becomes zero.

The operation of X-axis calibration system 400 is shown in FIG. 9. Ifthe robot is stepped, step 440, a distance correction of delta X equalto NO VALUE is provided, step 442. When the robot is in a fixed positionthe X-axis calibration flag is raised, step 444, and the calibrationsystem waits until control is received, step 446. The beacon is located,step 448, and inclinometer 197 is read until motion of the robotsettles, step 450. Once stable, the final inclination reading, phi_(i)is taken, as is the stable reading of vertical angle theta_(VA), step452. Actual vertical angle theta_(VA) is corrected by inclinationphi_(i) which has a positive or negative value depending whether robot10 is inclined toward or away from the beacon, respectively, step 454.

The difference between the expected X distance and the actual X distanceis obtained in step 456 as represented by the trigonometric formula##EQU1## where delta X is the difference in position along the X-axis,theta_(VE) is the expected vertical angle, theta_(VA) the actualvertical angle, and e is the vertical elevation of the beacon asdescribed in FIG. 5B. The value of delta X is provided to motorcontroller 330 through arbiter 408, step 458. The robot moves alongdistance X_(M) by an amount equal to delta X, step 459. The operationcycles to step 440 and the robot is readjusted until a delta X of zerois resolved in step 456.

Other methods of calculating delta X can be used, for example, where theexpected horizontal distance between the robot and the beacon issubstituted for expected vertical angle theta_(VE). The latter parameteris preferred because it can be obtained empirically in such operationsas map making by locating the robot at the node or other predeterminedlocation and instructing it to observe the beacon to learn the verticalangle. This obviates the need for physically measuring the horizontaldistance between the robot and the beacon.

The operation of the end-path calibration system commences with readingof the head ultrasonic range R_(HA), step 460, FIG. 10A. If the actualrange is greater than the expected range, step 462, supplied by map 402,an output of delta X equals no value is generated, steps 462, 463,respectively.

Otherwise, if the observed range is less than the expected range, theend-path calibrarion flag is raised, step 464 and the calibration systemwaits until control is received, step 466. Once control is obtained, thecalibration system commands that the drive motor halt, step 468, andcommands head ultrasonic 66 of head 12, FIGS. 1 and 2, to take nultrasonic readings along a selected arc, such as fifreen readings alonga 30° arc, each reading two degrees apart from the others, step 470. Theminimum distance is found in step 472.

A direction perpendicular to the wall is computed, step 474, e.g., byusing the angle which gave the minimum distance in step 472. The robotis commanded to turn to this perpendicular direction, step 476, FIG.10B, after which delta theta B is set to theta_(turn), step 476. Nowthat the robot is facing directly toward the object, a final reading ofthe head ultrasonics are taken to obtain distance R_(HA), step 478. Thedeviation in distance traveled along the X-axis is determined by theformula

    ΔX=R.sub.HE -R.sub.HA                                (2)

and delta X and delta theta_(B) are output to motor controller 330through arbiter 408, steps 480, 482, respectively. The position X_(M) ofthe robot is adjusted by delta X, step 483. The end-path calibrationsystem cycles to step 460 to resume monitoring.

The body angle calibration system corrects for accumulated error inorientation which is due to the drift or precession of base 14. Pathdeviation distance Y_(M) occurs during obstacle avoidance, for example,and changes in head orientation represented by theta_(M) can beattributed to rotation of head 12 while tracking a beacon to correct forprecession of the body. Body angle calibration system 406 corrects andcalibrates for each of these variables.

In operation, the beacon horizontal angle theta_(HA) is read, step 484,FIG. 11A. Optionally, such as shown in phantom by step 486, theoperation first determines whether the robot is stopped at a node and,if it is, raises body angle calibration flag, step 488, FIG. 11B. Oncecontrol is received, step 490, the system determines whether the node isa homing node, step 492. If it is, the robot turns to face sensor zero,step 494 and direction angle theta_(D) is set to zero. Otherwise,operation proceeds directly to step 496 where path direction theta_(P)is obtained from the map 402. The turn angle theta_(turn) is set to thedistance direction theta_(D) subtracted from path orientation theta_(p),step 498.

Once turn angle theta_(turn) is obtained, that value is output to motorcontroller 330, FIG. 6, step 500. The robot turns to face the expectedbeacon and hunts for the beacon, steps 502, 504, respectively. The finalhead orientation theta_(M) is recorded, operation proceeds to step 484,FIG. 11A, and beacon horizontal angle theta_(HA) is read. At this stage,the expected deviation distance Y_(M) and the head direction theta_(M)are read from the mobile module, step 504. If the beacon is in view andthe robot is on course, meaning that the absolute values of horizontalorientation theta_(HA) is less than 10° and deviation distance Y is lessthan one foot, calibration of body angle is obtained by determining theincrement delta theta_(B) as equal to the sum of theta_(M) andtheta_(HA), step 510. If either of steps 506 and step 508 are notsatisfied, meaning that the robot has significantly deviated from thepath, no value is output, step 512, and other calibration systems suchas end-path calibration, are tried.

Once the increment delta theta_(B) is determined, Y is reset by settingdelta Y to negative Y, step 514, and delta theta_(B) and Y are providedto the arbiter, step 516. Optionally, head angle theta_(M) is reset bysetting it equal to minus horizontal angle theta_(HA), step 515, shownin phantom. Operation then returns to steps 486, 484 as described above.

In its simplest construction, body angle calibration involves readingthe beacon horizontal angle theta_(HA), turning to face the beacon,setting delta theta_(B) to theta_(HA), and outputting delta theta_(B).In blackboard 410, delta theta_(B) is initially set to zero and thenincremented as needed by either the body angle calibration or end-pathcalibration systems.

Position estimation system 339 ensures that the robot is properlypositioned and oriented. Navigation system 520, FIG. 12A, accuratelyguides the robot along a path toward a destination while avoidingobstacles in the path. Navigation system 520 provides a turn angletheta_(turn) and a drive velocity V_(d). Obstacle avoider system 528according to this invention, beacon tracker 522 and path follower 526continually output values for theta_(turn) and V_(D). However, motorcontroller 330 does not receive these values unless approved by arbiter524.

When a beacon is placed as a marker proximate to a destination, theoutput of beacon tracker 522 is directed by arbiter 524 to motorcontroller portion 330 of mobile module 224. Beacon tracker 522 utilizeshorizontal angle theta_(HA) from beacon data 516 from beacon module 210,position data 518 from mobile module 224 as updated on blackboard 410,and information from map 402. If the beacon is not within a certainazimuthal angle from the held orientation of the robot, or when nobeacons are present, path follower 526 provides turn angle theta_(turn)and the appropriare drive velocity VD. Path follower 526 performs deadreckoning utilizing position data 518 from mobile module 224 andexpected data from map 402.

By providing the robot with obstacle avoider system 528 according tothis invention, the robot can operate in a partially unknown environmentwhere obstacles may arise in the path. Obstacle avoider 528 utilizesultrasonic data 530 from body ultrasonic module 226, head-path angletheta_(M), and data from map 402. The local navigation system 520 isinitialized at each node as described below.

The operation of arbiter 524 is shown in FIG. 12B. Upon starting localnavigation, the parameters X_(M), Y_(M), and theta_(M) are set to zeroin the X-Y positioner 332. The drive motor is started, step 534, and thenavigation system runs until X_(M) is equal to or greater than the pathdistance X_(P) and the absolute value of the deviation distance Y_(M) isless than one foot, step 536. If these conditions are satisfied, localnavigation is ended, step 538; otherwise, the navigation systemcontinues to operate until the robot is brought quite close to thedesired destination node. The final adjustment in position is providedby position estimation system 399 as described above.

Until these conditions are satisfied, local navigation 520 examines theoutput first ot obstacle avoider 528, then beacon tracker 522, andfinally path follower system 526. As shown in step 540, if avoidersystem 528 provides a turn angle of greater than zero, its output isprovided to motor controller 330 of the mobile module, step 542. If theavoidance turn angle theta_(turn) is zero, and the deviation distanceY_(M) is less than one foot, theta_(turn) and V_(D) of beacon trackersystem 522 are provided to mobile module, steps 544 and 546,respectively. Otherwise, the dead reckoning of the path follower 526 isprovided to mobile module 224, step 548.

The operation of the beacon tracker system is shown in FIG. 13. Thehorizontal theta_(HA) and the distance traveled X_(M) are read fromblackboard 410 and the path distance X_(P) and known horizontal distanceY_(B) of the beacon from the path are obtained from the map, steps 550and 552, respectively. Horizontal distance Y_(B) represents the offsetdistance of the beacon from the path as shown above in FIG. 5C. Theoffset angle theta_(off) is determined in step 554 by the formula##EQU2## The turn angle theta_(turn) is equal to the sum of thehorizontal angle theta_(HA) and offset angle theta_(off) , step 556.When the beacons are provided with unique identifying codes, asdescribed below, the correct code must be present, step 558, or velocityVhd d and turn angle theta_(turn) are set to no value, steps 560 and562, respectively. If the correct code is present and the absolute valueof the direction from the front of the head of the robot to the beaconis less than 11°, step 564, velocity V_(D) is set to the patrol velocityV_(patrol) and is provided as output along with the turn angletheta_(turn), steps 566 and 568, respectively. Operation then returns tostep 550.

An important feature of these navigation systems is that they outputvalues continuously. The mobile module can accept new commands duringexecution of turns and changes of velocity, as directed by arbiter 524,to rapidly adjust its operation and provide for smoother turning andacceleration changes for the robot.

Avoidance and path following of robot 10 in relation to obstacle 570 areshown in FIG. 14. Body ultrasound transducers 24, FIGS. 1 and 2, providea 25-foot range about robot 10 as indicated by circle 572. However, forobstacle avoidance, the range of the sensors is ignored beyond maximumrange R_(max), indicated by arrow 574, e.g. three feet. Further, alimited sensor arc 575 of 135°, or 67.5° to either side of the desireddirection heading. The field of view of the avoider therefore utilizesthe 15° field of view of the sensor oriented toward the desireddirection, indicated by sector 576, and four sensors to either side ofit, such as sensors in sectors 578, 580. Note that front 300 is orientedwith sector 578, and not with sector 576, since face direction 300 isnot oriented in the desired direction.

For velocity calculation, however, the field of view, between dashedlines 577, 579, is established relative to the forward facing direction,represented by direction arrow 300. Velocity field of view 577, 579 is a75° arc which utilizes the forward facing sensor and two sensors on eachside of that sensor.

While the desired path is represented by line 582, the actual pathtraveled during object avoidance is illustrated by path 584. Once clearof the obstacle 570, in terms of the avoider field of view 575, robot 10is returned to path 582 along route 586 using the path following system.The path following system attempts to return robot 10 to path 582 withincorrection distance X_(corr), shown by line 588. Once returned to thepath, robot 10 proceeds to follow a beacon, if present, or to continuepath following.

The operation of obstacle avoider system 528 according to this inventionis shown in FIGS. 15A-15C. The range of each sensor r is examined foreach sensor i, where i is the index of the sensors. The range of eachsensor r_(i) is monitored to determine when it is within range R_(max),step 590. As shown in step 592, turn angle theta_(turn) is set to zeroand the drive velocity V_(d) is set to the patrol velocity, until anobstacle comes within avoidance range.

To prevent damage to the robot, obstacle avoider system 528 must takeinto account the width of the robot. As shown in FIG. 16, robot 10 hasradius r and is navigating through passage 594 between walls 596, 598.Passage 594 has a width of 2w. The avoidance distance r_(avoid) is thedistance by which an object is avoided and is computed according to theformula

    r.sub.avoid =w-r                                           (4)

as shown in step 600, FIG. 15A. A maximum avoid distance "max avoid" isset when r_(avoid) exceeds max avoid, steps 602, 604, respectively, toprevent robot 10 from deviating excessively from its path duringobstacle avoidance. Further, a minimum clearance around objects can bespecified, such as a wide avoider clearance, e.g. eight inches, or anarrow avoider, e.g. three inches.

Loop 606 thresholds the range data within the avoidance viewing anglesuch that for each range element r_(i), step 608, the threshold setelement t_(i) is set to zero when r_(i) is less than or equal tor_(avoid) , and t_(i) is set to one when r_(i) is greater thanr_(avoid), steps 610, 612, respectively.

After the last range element r_(i) is thresholded, that is, set to oneor zero, step 614, the side-swipe angle theta_(ss) is computed, step616. As shown in FIG. 17, side-swipe angle theta_(ss) is the minimumangle which robot 10 must turn such that point P will miss obstacle 618.In other words, robot 10 must alter heading 620 to at least heading 622to avoid collision. The side-swipe angle is computed according to theformula ##EQU3## The side-swipe angle is utilized, step 616, FIG. 15A,to compute the number of sectors by which the robot must avoid anobject. In other words, neighboring sectors of a blocked sector must beset to zero. The zero-neighbor factor is computed by dividing theside-swipe angle theta_(ss) by the beam width theta_(bw), step 618, androunding upwards to a whole integer. As stated above, the beam widththeta_(bw) of the ultrasound transducers of robot 10 is 15°.

A clear set is constructed in loop 620 by examining each thresholdedrange element t_(i) and when it equals zero, step 622, its neighbors arezeroed such that the resulting clear set elements C_(i) within Z sensorsectors of a blocked sector are set to zero, step 624. When the lastthresholded range element t_(i) has been processed, step 626, the sensorfacing the direction of travel is computed in steps 628, 630. The sensorzero path angle theta_(sz) is the angle from the path heading to sensorzero and is determined by subtracting the body angle theta_(b) from thepath angle theta_(p). The integer number of the sensor facing thedirection of travel, sensor S_(d), is determined according to theformula ##EQU4## as shown in step 630.

Since direction sensor S_(d) is blocked, the nearest open sensor which,when the robot heads in that direction, will enable the robot to clearthe obstacle, is determined by hunting successively clockwise tocounterclockwise and back again from direction sensor S_(d) to find theclear sensor S_(c), step 632. The clear sensor S_(c) is described as thenon-zero element in the clear set nearest to the direction sensor S_(d)in clear set C_(i). This can be determined according to the formula

    i=σ.sub.k (k+1)/2+(1-σ.sub.k)(n-k/2) modulo n  (7)

where i is the index of a sensor relative to the forward-facing sensor,n is the number of active sensors, k is a counter constant, andsigma_(k) is equal to zero when k is even and equal to one when k isodd. Thus, equation (7) successively generates the elements 0, 1, n-1,2, n-2, 3, . . . , by which elements on either side of the desiredsensor direction are alternately examined. The first non-zero clear setmember is selected as the clear sensor.

Before the turn angle is calculated, the head direction angle theta_(d)is calculated by subtracting the sensor zero angle theta_(sz) from thehead-path angle theta_(m), step 634. The index number of clear sensorS_(c) is converted into degrees by multiplying it by beam widththeta_(bw), from which is subtracted head direction angle theta_(d),step 636, to obtain theta_(turn), step 636.

The velocity is determined within the velocity field of view 577, 579,FIG. 14, by determining the minimum range r_(min) within theforward-facing field of view, that is, around head direction angletheta_(d), step 638. Minimum range rmin is utilized in loop 640 todetermine the drive velocity V_(d) by dividing the minimum detectedrange r_(min) by the maximum avoidance range R_(max) and multiplying itby the patrol velocity, step 642. Thus, the patrol velocity ismaintained, steps 644, 646, until R_(min) drops below R_(max).

The turn value theta_(turn) and drive velocity V_(d) are provided toarbiter 524, step 648. Operation then returns to step 590, where thecalculations are repeated. Obstacle avoider system 528 thereby providesnew commands which are accepted by motor controller 330 during executionof turns and during changes in velocity to provide smoother changes.

Once the robot has avoided the obstacle, it returns to the pathutilizing path follower 526, whose operation is depicted in FIG. 18. Thepresent distances X_(m), Y_(m), are read from blackboard 410, step 650.The path distance X_(p) is obtained from map 402 in step 652 and iscompared to the distance actually travelled, X_(m),to ensure that thecorrection distance X_(corr) will not bring the robot beyond thedestination node. The correction distance X_(corr) is described above inrelation to FIG. 14. From step 654, FIG. 18, the minimum elapseddistance along the X axis is set to correction distance X_(corr), step656, unless the robot is close to the node as defined in step 658. Theturn angle theta_(turn) is computed according to the formula ##EQU5## asshown in step 660.

The travel velocity is inversely proportional to the magnitude of turnangle theta_(turn) as shown in step 662. The drive velocity and turnangle are then provided to arbiter 524, step 664, and operation returnsto step 650. As shown in FIG. 12B, the output of beacon tracking system522 is granted priority over the output of path follower 526 so that therobot resumes tracking the beacon, if present, once it is back on thepath.

The hierarchy of operational commands for robot 10 are shown in FIG. 19.Global navigation system 670 includes planner 672 and executive 674.Planner 672 is responsive to map 676, which contains the expectedposition estimation data, described above in relation to FIGS. 7A-7C,and other data such as the path type. For instance, a path can bedesignated as a avoidance path where objects are known to be present, adead-reckoning path where no beacon is present, or a beacon trackingpath where a navigation beacon is provided. The path can also beidentified as a docking path which returns the robot to a rechargestation, or as an intrusion detection path where intrusion detection isto be performed. Other information can be specified such as the patrolvelocity or whether a narrow or wide avoidance clearance is required.

Operator 678 represents a guard or other personnel which providecommands to planner 672 such as the start node, the goal list, or acommand to go to a particular node. Operator 678 can command the robotto resume patrol or to return to the charge station.

Planner 672 prepares a path list comprising the executive nodes to visitbetween each goal node and provides this list to executive 674.Executive 674 identifies the path direction and destination node when acurrent node is occupied, at which point local navigation 520 operatesuntil the destination node is reached. Local navigation 520 relies uponthe blackboard for current status information.

The travel of the robot is interrupted by battery status 680, whichmonitors voltage to determine when the batteries have discharged below apredetermined amount. Recharge current is monitored while the robot isdocked to determine when the batteries are sufficiently charged.

Executive 674 notifies planner 672 on line 682 when the path list iscomplete or when battery status 680 indicates that the batteries havedischarged below a certain level. Planner 672 then calculates the returnpath to the nearest charge station.

The operation of planner 672 is shown in FIG. 20. The current node isset to the start node, step 690, and loop 692 computes the shortest pathfrom the current node to the goal node for each node in the goal list.The shortest path is computed using Djikstra's algorithm such asdescribed in Aho, Hopcroft and Ullman, Data Structures and Algorithms(1983), page 205. The path list for those nodes is thereby constructed,step 694, unless the path is not possible, step 696, in which case thenext goal node is requested, step 698, and an alternative destinationplanned.

For each path list, the executive 674 is summoned, step 700, and isprovided with the path list. When the executive has completed that pathlist, step 702, the next goal node is requested, step 698.

The operation of executive 674 is shown in FIG. 21. Local navigation 520is summoned, step 710, and the path information is provided to it, step712. Once local navigation has ended, step 714, and the destination nodebecomes the current node, the current node is updated, step 716, toidentify it as the former destination node.

Two low battery conditions are examined. When the battery voltage is ata minimum, step 718, e.g. 11.1 volts, the executive instructs theplanner while at the node to return the robot to the nearest chargestation, step 720. If the battery voltage is merely low, step 722, e.g.11.7 volts, the operator is warned, step 724, and the robot resumespatrol. Executive 674 proceeds through the path list, step 726, until itis completed.

Map 676 can be generated by an operator who escorts the robot from nodeto node in a premises to be patrolled. The operator directs the robot tothe node, a beacon is placed at the next node, and the robot is informedof the code for that distant beacon. The robot then scans, finds thebeacon, and proceeds toward the beacon. If a beacon is not placed at thenext node, the operator again directs the robot where to travel. Therobot when at the next node records such information as the verticalangle to the beacon theta_(VA), the distance to a wall R_(HA), and thepath distance X_(p) is set to the actual distance travelled, X_(m). Thenode may be named by the operator so that he can designate it as a goalnode in the future. The operator places another beacon at the next node,and the process is continued until the robot has mapped its area ofpatrol.

In summary, the robot finds each node by operator designation or bybeacons previously placed at the node. The robot then defines nodes bynoting the angle and distance to and from the beacon, by uniquelyidentifying the beacon, or by other landmarks including passive beaconssuch as reflectors and bar codes. The robot can also define a node interms of grid-based or segment-based geometric modeling.

Position locating system 1350, FIG. 22, includes one or more beacontransmitters 64, 64a, 64b, each having an infrared source 62, 62a, 62b.Also included is an infrared sensor 60 sensitive to the infraredradiation emitted by source 62, and associated with sensor 60 is an eyecircuit 1352 whose output is provided on bus 1354. Bus 1354interconnects with beacon STD-bus interface 1356 in beacon module 210.Interface 1356 communicates with microprocessor 1358 over STD bus 1360.Microprocessor 1358 may be a Z80 and it communicates directly with CPU218, which may be a 68000.

Beacon transmitter 64 provides an optical burst 1362 of coded signalsevery 15.6 milliseconds, FIG. 23. Each burst, as shown in greater detailin FIG. 24, has a total burst time of 244 microseconds which defines aneight-bit word, each bit being 30.5 microseconds wide. The first bit isa start bit; the next seven bits are code bits and represent 128different possible codes. Each code can uniquely identify a singlebeacon, so that with this simple arrangement one hundred twenty-eightdifferent beacons can be uniquely identified; that is, when the infraredsource is seen that is considered a logic one. When the infrared source,which may be a light-emitting diode or LED, is off, then the signal islow and is considered a logic zero. The signals shown in FIGS. 23 and 24are generated in beacon transmitter 64 by an oscillator 1364, FIG. 25,which runs continuously at 32.768 KHz. Its output is delivered directlyto a register in code generator 1366. Its output is also delivered to acounter 1368, modulo 512, which divides the 32.768 KHz signal to providethe time period shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. That is, with every 64th pulse(or every 15.6 ms) a burst occurs of eight bits. Eight bits are set toone or zero to produce the unique code for a particular beacon by thesetting of the code select keys 1370. When one of the keys 1370 istoggled to ground, the associated stage of the register in 1366 isgrounded, thereby placing a logic one in that bit position. Switchesthat are left toggled to high-level voltage produce a logic zero in theassociated stage. The patterns of ones and zeros modulate the infraredradiation produced by LED 62 so that a coded signal is provided whichuniquely defines the particular beacon.

Sensor 60 in eye circuit 1352, FIG. 26, is a multisector sensor such asa dual-axis lateral effect photodiode. It provides four separateoutputs, each indicative of the infrared radiation incident on itsparticular sector. By analyzing the relative values of the radiationfalling on the different sectors, a determination can be made as to theangle of the sensor to the emitting beacon. Each of the four sectoroutputs from photodiode 60 is fed to a different channel 1372, 1374,1376, 1378. Each channel includes an amplifier 1380, high-pass filters1382, voltage amplifiers 1384, and sample and hold circuits 1386.High-pass filters 1382 pass the coded signal from beacon 64 but block60-cycle and 120-cycle signals introduced by ambient light conditions;periodically on command from microprocessor 1358 a signal on sample andhold line 1388 causes sample and hold circuits 1386 to sample and holdthe signal in each channel. Those signals are then multiplexed by analogmultiplexer 1392 as directed by a command from microprocessor 1358 online 1390. The signal from each channel is fed directly to the gaincontrol of amplifier 1394. Finally, the output from each channel is fedto A/D converter 1398, where it stops unless a control signal on line1400 from microprocessor 1358 requests the angle data signal on line1402. Microprocessor 1358 also provides a select and enable signal online 1404 to A/D converter 1398 to indicate the particular eye circuit1352, 1352a, 1352b or 1352c which is currently being interrogated.

Simultaneously with this, one or more of the outputs from photodiode 60after passing through amplifiers 1380 are combined in an AC summer 1406in order to maximize the signal which will be used to detect theidentifying code. From summer circuit 1406 the signal is passed toclipper circuit 1408, which limits the output independent of the inputamplitude. At this point the signal is constituted by one or more codedpulses riding on an envelope of sixty or one hundred twenty cycle noise.Differentiator circuit 1414 is therefore used to detect only thetransitions of the pulses; thus, for every positive-going transition apositive spike appears at the output of differentiator 1414 and forevery negative-going transition a negative spike occurs at the output ofdifferentiator 1414. The positive-going spikes pass through amplifier1416 and set flip-flop 1418 to define the beginning of a pulse.Negative-going spikes passing through amplifier 1420 reset flip-flop1418 and define the end of the pulse. In this way the pulses and thereceived coded signal are reconstituted one at a time to construct thecode data signal on line 1422.

The angle data signal on line 1402, FIG. 27, is fed directly through MUX1424 in beacon STD-bus interface 1356 to STD-bus 1360. The code datasignal is fed from MUX 1424 to code verifier circuit 1426. After it isverified it is submitted to a converter 1428 where it is changed from aserial signal to a parallel signal and then provided to STD-bus 1360.Code verifier circuit 1426 may utilize any of a number of techniques forverifying the authenticity of an incoming code. For example, theincoming signal may be sampled at fixed times following a start pulsewhen pulse transitions would normally be expected in a valid signal. Ifthe transitions occur within narrow windows at the expected times, theyare treated as valid code; otherwise they are rejected. The code statusis provided on line 1430 to STD-bus 1360.

Under software control, FIGS. 28A and 28B, operation may begin with asignal from CPU 218 in step 1440 with the command "Get Eye Data". Whenmicroprocessor 1358 receives that signal it selects a particular eye instep 1442. The A/D converter is then commanded to start the conversionin step 1446 and the code data is obtained on line 1422 in step 1448. Instep 1450, if the code data is bad the cycle starts again with thebeginning of a new conversion in step 1446. If the code is good then theangle information is used and the next step 1452 provides the azimuthangle and the altitude angle and the code in step 1454 to microprocessor1358. Here the angle data is converted to the azimuth angle and thealtitude angle and combined with the code and directed to CUP 218. Theazimuth angle needs no further processing. The altitude angle and codeare delivered to CPU 218, which then retrieves the height H of theidentified beacon in step 1456; height H can be unique for that beacon,or all beacons can be placed at the same height. That height is used tocalculate the distance D to the beacon by dividing the height bytriangulation, e.g., the tangent of the altitude angle in step 1458.Then the distance and direction of the robot versus the beacon is outputin step 1460.

The calculation in step 1454, FIG. 28A, of the azimuth angle and thealtitude angle from the angle data signal is accomplished by determiningthe X position and the Y position from the dual axis lateral effectphotodiode of FIG. 26 shown in more detail in FIG. 29. The X position iscalculated according to the expression: ##EQU6## and the Y position bythe expression: ##EQU7## The division by A+C and B+D respectivelynormalizes the signal to reduce its dependence on the incident lightlevel. The angles are those determined by the expression: ##EQU8## whereK is a constant dependent on the size of the detector and focal lengthof the light gathering lens if one is used: ##EQU9## where D is thediameter of the detector and F₁ is the focal length of the lens.

Although specific features of the invention are shown in some drawingsand not others, this is for convenience only as each feature may becombined with any or all of the other features in accordance with theinvention.

Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and are withinthe following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for avoiding obstracles in a first pathof a vehicle, comprising:sensor means having a field of view with aplurality of sectors for detecting the distance of objects within eachsector; means, responsive to said sensor means, for identifyingobstructed sectors in which objects are detected within a predeterminedrange; and means, responsive to said means for identifying, forselecting an unobstructed sector close in alignment to the direction ofthe first path to designate around the object an unobstructed secondpath which is close to the first path.
 2. The obstacle avoidance systemof claim 1 in which said sensor means includes a plurality of individualsensors, each one of said sensors aligned with a different sector. 3.The obstacle avoidance system of claim 2 in which said sensors areultrasonic transducers.
 4. The obstacle avoidance system of claim 1 inwhich said field of view of said sensor means is centered toward thedirection of the first path.
 5. The obstacle avoidance system of claim 1in which said means for selecting includes means for designating thesector closest in alignment to the first path direction.
 6. The obstacleavoidance system of claim 1 further including means for turning thevehicle toward the selected sector to put the vehicle on theunobstructed second path.
 7. The obstacle avoidance system of claim 1 inwhich said means for selecting includes means for designatingunobstructed sectors, which are immediately adjacent to obstructedsectors, as obstructed sectors.
 8. The obstacle avoidance system ofclaim 1 further including means for adjusting the drive velocity of thevehicle as a function of the nearest detected object to slow the vehicleas it approaches an object.
 9. The obstacle avoidance system of claim 8in which said means for adjusting includes:second sensor means having afield of view, said field of view having a plurality of sectors andbeing aligned with the direction of travel of the vehicle for detectingthe distance of objects within each sector; and proximity means,responsive to said second sensor means, for identifying the obstructedsector in which an object is detected at the closest range.
 10. Theobstacle avoidance system of claim 9 further including means forresolving the direction of travel of the vehicle to determine the sectorof the second sensor means facing the direction of travel.
 11. Theobstacle avoidance system of claim 1 further including path followingmeans for returning the vehicle from the unobstructed second path to thefirst path after the object is avoided.
 12. The obstacle avoidancesystem of claim 11 in which said path following means includes means foraltering the heading of the vehicle toward the first path as a functionof the lateral deviation of the vehicle from the first path and of thedistance designated to elapse before the vehicle reaches the first path.13. An obstacle avoidance system for use with a robot having a bodywhich has an azimuthal angle that is optimally fixed in space andprovides the basic reference to the outside world, a drive systemincluding wheels for enabling movement of the robot, and a synchronoussteering mechanism which turns the wheels independently of the body toface them toward the direction of travel, comprising:sensor means,disposed in the body, having a field of view with a plurality of sectorsfor detecting the distance of objects within each sector; means,responsive to said sensor means, for identifying obstructed sectors inwhich objects are detected within a predetermined range; and means,responsive to said means for identifying, for selecting an unobstructedsector close in alignment to the direction of a first path of the robotto designate around the object an unobstructed second path which isclose to the first path.
 14. The obstacle avoidance system of claim 13in which said sensor means includes a plurality of individual sensors,each one of said sensors aligned with a different sector.
 15. Theobstacle avoidance system of claim 13 in which said field of view ofsaid sensor means is centered toward the direction of the first path.16. The obstacle avoidance system of claim 13 further including meansfor adjusting the drive velocity of the robot as a function of thenearest detected object to slow the robot as it approaches the object.17. The obstacle avoidance system of claim 16 in which said means foradjusting includes:second sensor means having a field of view, saidfield of view having a plurality of sectors and being aligned with thedirection of travel of the robot for detecting the distance of objectswithin each sector; and proximity means, responsive to said secondsensor means, for identifying the obstructed sector in which an objectis detected at the closest range.
 18. The obstacle avoidance system ofclaim 13 further including path following means for returning thevehicle from the unobstructed second path to the first path after theobject is avoided.
 19. The obstacle avoidance system of claim 18 inwhich said path following means includes means for altering the headingof the vehicle toward the first path as a function of the lateraldeviation of the vehicle from the first path and of the distancedesignated to elapse before the vehicle reaches the first path.